Spectrum Update

26th March – Spectrum Update

Hopefully most of you are already connected to better broadband with Spectrum or will be going ‘live’ over the next two weeks.

We have had a fantastic response from customers throughout Penallt that have been connected to the new cabinet and the average broadband speed is currently 12.7Mbps! What an improvement!

We would like to say a massive thank you to David May, Bill Jackson and the rest of the Penallt Broadband Association. Without all their hard work and effort over the last few months, broadband speeds in the area would still be a measly 0.5Mbps. Congratulations to you all.

Also, we are aware that many of you completed your customer order form a while ago but we have recently increased our security for our customer’s benefit. At your own convenience, please click here to complete one simple form that will help our accounts team in the future if you would like to change any of your contract or billing information.

As you are probably aware the Welsh Government Broadband Support Scheme has been extended to new applicants wanting to join. If any of your neighbours are looking to get better broadband please encourage them to contact us and we would be more than happy to assist them with the Welsh Government application form. The scheme has only be extended for a couple more months so don’t let them miss out!

To those connected directly to the Monmouth exchange- we are investigating the options for you as a new project and will contact you directly very soon.

To those being connected by wireless in Tregagle- as per David and Bill’s recent email, progress has been made on the wayleave and a survey has been scheduled for this week. Further update will be sent through David and Bill when the survey results are in.

Kind regards,

Claire and the team at Spectrum Internet

5th March – Spectrum Update

The main project work is now complete and we are conducting the final equipment testing with the microwave and within the cabinet. These tests have been straightforward and the microwave point to point connection has been providing very high speeds and good stability.

The first customers will be connected today and all completed order forms (where MACs or confirmation of LLU information has been received) is now just awaiting connection dates which should be within the next couple of weeks.

We will have engineers available to assist with the installation on the date you are due to go live. This is a free service and they are able to help you complete the grant application form too. They will be making contact with you to see if this is a service you would like to take.

There are still a few customers who returned order forms to us who have not yet contacted us since we requested MAC or confirmation of being on LLU. We cannot process your order until this information is received – please don’t delay or you may miss the deadline to connect in time for Welsh Government to pay the grant. We suggest that you contact us to confirm by 11th March. Please see below for information about MAC’s and LLU.

If you have any queries please email [email protected]

Tregagle customers
I’m sorry you are receiving a short and simple update but we will have a full update over the next few days which will include information regarding installation. However, we are looking to confirm that all properties do still want to be connected. If you have decided not to take the wireless solution, please email us.

If you are going to be connected via a wireless link, you do not need a MAC. If you are unsure which solution you will have, please contact us at [email protected]

We look forward to welcoming you as a Spectrum customer within the next few weeks

1st March – Spectrum Update

What’s happening?

Penallt/cabinet connected customers
The main project work is now complete and we are conducting the final equipment testing with the microwave and within the cabinet. These tests have been straightforward and the microwave point to point connection has been providing very high speeds and good stability.

We now have confirmation that the first customers will be connected on 5th March and all completed order forms (where MACs or confirmation of LLU information has been received) is now just awaiting connection dates which should be within the next couple of weeks.

If you have any queries please call us on 029 200 22 345 or email [email protected]

We look forward to welcoming you as a Spectrum customer within the next few weeks.

Tregagle wireless customers
I’m sorry you are receiving a short and simple update but we will have a full update on Tuesday which will include information regarding installation.
However, we are looking to confirm that all properties do still want to be connected. If you have decided not to take the wireless solution, please can you respond to this email.

MAC requests and LLU customers
Thank you to those who have sent us your MACs. You should have received an email on Friday confirming receipt. These orders are now queuing in the order system and you will be the first customers to ‘go live’. You will be sent a separate email when the civil construction work is complete and the date of your connection.
If you contact your ISP and they say you do not require a MAC, please find our help sheet here for more information on LLU providers.

As the weather is still variable, there is a risk that Openreach could extend the lead time to connect customers to the new service. Those who have sent details to us will be connected without any issues.

However we strongly urge you to request your MAC or confirm LLU status with your provider now. If you wait until your neighbour receives their service it could be too late to connect you in time!

There is some useful information to help you on our website here.

If you are going to be connected via a wireless link, you do not need a MAC. If you are unsure which solution you will have, please contact us at [email protected] or visit our website.

From Claire and the team at Spectrum Internet

14 Feb 2013 – Spectrum Update

What’s happening?
The wireless survey team will be in Tregagle again on Friday. So far, they have not needed to intrude on customer’s properties. This is expected to be the final survey before installation dates can be booked with customers.

The civil contractor made good progress on Lone Lane last week trenching approximately 30 metres per day and coping with the pudding stone. The concrete for the cabinet base was poured on Friday and the cabinet should be in situ today or tomorrow if the concrete has hardened sufficiently. The work will continue on Lone Lane this week to reach the top point at which the power connection can be made. The power connection will take place next week and the trench on the road can then be closed. We have added some images to the blog.

On Friday we were contacted by some concerned residents in Penallt who were having problems with telephone lines. This appears not to affect all lines and as yet, we have only been informed from by BT that this is a fault between the exchange and the customers in Penallt. Out of concern that our work could have been the cause, we have confirmed with the civil contractor that they were not working near any cables that could have affected these lines. The only work undertaken by them near Openreach cables (and by the new cabinet) was on Monday 4th and Tuesday 5th but this did not affect any service. If you are currently having problems with your telephone line, please report this as a telephone line fault to your telephone provider so that they can check the status with Openreach.

If you contact your ISP and they say you do not require a MAC, please find our help sheet here for more information on LLU providers.

However we strongly urge you to request your MAC or confirm LLU status with your provider now. If you wait until your neighbour receives their service it could be too late to connect you in time!

There is some useful information to help you on our website.

If you are going to be connected via a wireless link, you do not need a MAC. If you are unsure which solution you will have, please contact us at [email protected] or visit our website.

From Claire and the team at Spectrum Internet

4 Feb 2013 – Spectrum Update

What’s happening?
Work has been progressing at Upper Beaulieu Farm to prepare for the microwave installation during the week. Further work will continue next week which should complete the ‘civils’ phase.
Now that the weather has become more settled, the civil contractors have confirmed that they will start work on Lone Lane today (confirmed – see photo on right – Ed). The work is expected to take about two to three weeks and will include installing the cabinet and providing a trench up the road in which the power cable will be run. This is a distance of 225 metres from the position where it will meet the road to the new cabinet. The power work is also commencing this week across private land so that it is completed on time to meet the civil contractor.

As many of you will be aware, the council will be resurfacing the road on completion of this work – although they have not confirmed whether this work will commence as soon as we finish.
Wireless (Tregagle) customers should expect a call or email from our wireless team next week as they are on the ground and may request to visit your property and take photos to help their work.

What do you need to do?
We are now just a few weeks away from going live and connecting the first customers. If you are going to be connected to the cabinet, we would be grateful you would request a Migration Authorisation Code (MAC) from your current ISP. Once you have your MAC, please send it to us using the form on this website page here or you can email [email protected].

There is some useful information to help you on our website here.

If you are going to be connected via a wireless link, you do not need a MAC. If you are unsure which solution you will have, please contact us at [email protected] or visit our website

From Claire and the team at Spectrum Internet

26 Jan 2013 – Spectrum Update

What’s happening?
Despite the weather, there’s been some good news this week and progress made. Firstly, we received official confirmation that planning permission has been granted for the cabinet and pole on Lone Lane. We have also been given the green light from the Highways department to start the work on the road and so the civil contractor will be making preparations to start the work.

In terms of wireless, this has also progressed this week and we have had brave souls out in the snow to assist! The installation of the telegraph pole at the farm on the hill (other side of Penallt) should be completed by the end of next week so we can start aligning the microwave antenna towards Lone Lane soon after. The point of presence for Tregagle can then also commence final testing and this part of the project will now run in parallel to the work occurring for the cabinet.

There is some useful information to help you on our website here. There is also a fully detailed help page about obtaining MAC codes on the Penallt site here.

If you are going to be connected via a wireless link, you do not need a MAC. If you are unsure which solution you will have, please contact us at [email protected]

Next update
Next week!

From Claire and the team at Spectrum Internet

18 Jan 2013 – Spectrum Update

A busy few weeks ahead for the Spectrum team in Penallt

What’s happening?
We are waiting for the Highways Section 50 application to be approved for the civil contractor to begin work. This enables them to dig up the road and provide traffic measures if necessary. We believe that the council will respond now within the next 2 weeks. The work on the road by the civil contractors will take about 2 weeks to complete.

In the meantime, the work should be started for power to be provided on private land. This will link in to the works being completed on Lone Lane by the civil contractor.

In terms of the wireless (microwave) backhaul that will provide the Internet connection, we are on site on Monday with the land owners and civil contractor.

What do you need to do?
Keep in touch! We have just launched a new website which will keep you up to date with all the developments, and any pictures for this project. All information will be posted here on your own Penallt section. Please visit www.superfastmonmouthshire.co.uk

Next update
Next week!

From Claire and the team at Spectrum Internet

15 Jan 2013 – Update on Spectrum progress

As you are well aware, the project is taking longer to
complete than was originally envisaged.

There are two main reasons for the delay. The first
relates to the need to connect the new cabinet to a power source. This
entails trenching across a private garden and Spectrum have spent several weeks
agreeing this with the owner. The second factor is a delay in getting MCC
planning approval for the trenching, cabinet and mast in Lone Lane.

We understand that the planning permission is expected next
week. As soon as that happens, digging can start. We also expect
the trenching of the power cables to start next week. Spectrum will also
install the mast in Upper Redbrook which will be the link with the mast they
install in Lone Lane.

Once started, all work should be completed within three
weeks i.e. by the third week of February, by which time Spectrum should be in a
position to start connecting all homes. The factor we cannot control is
the weather but if it is likely to affect this schedule, we shall let you know.

For those villagers linked to the Trellech Exchange,
Spectrum are currently undertaking surveys of each house to establish the best
location for a mast from which to provide the wireless solution.

We are in regular contact with Spectrum and will keep you
updated with developments.

Bill Jackson
David May
[for Penallt Broadband Association]

2 Jan 2013 – Spectrum Update

Happy New Year!

What’s happening?
Now that the holidays are over we are able to get the work scheduled to commence. We also have our fingers crossed for improved weather as this can impede the work but the civil contractor is due to start work on Lone Lane very soon. As soon as this date is confirmed we will email this to you.

We are confident that we will have all of you who have applied for the grant connected before the end of March 2013 – and we think there is still time for new grant applicant connections if you have any neighbours still looking to join.

What you need to do now

1. Return the requested form to Welsh Government for the grant if you haven’t already done so. NB Most of you have received the Welsh Government confirmation of the £1000 grant (as per here) and most of you have already returned the Offer of Funding agreement as requested. If you have not done this by now, then please sign and date the Offer of Funding agreement and return it to the address given here.
2. Make sure you do not get signed into any new contracts by your existing ISP (they cannot make you sign a new contract – you are within your rights to roll-over on a month by month basis).
3. Keep an eye out for future emails from us (it may be worth ensuring this email address is not marked as ‘junk’)
4. Let your friends and neighbours know the good news! It would be awful if they missed out!

Next update – Next week!

From Claire and the team at Spectrum Internet

21 Dec 2012 – Spectrum Update

Dear resident,

What’s happening?

We have made progress with a number of the issues that were holding us back last week – in particular with way leave agreement/crossing private land for power -the landowner is now ‘on board’ in helping the community project. Thank you for those who assisted in this!

This has delayed the start on site but we expect things to move quite quickly in the New Year.

We have now lined up the necessary contractors and you can click here to see what work will start to take place in the New Year. You will see that some of these are dependent on the previous tasks being completed so we will constantly monitor for the impact on the project.

We are hoping that the weather will improve too. Bad weather (of any kind!) can mean Openreach can enforce MBORCs (Matters Beyond Our Reasonable Control). When these are in place in a region, it creates delays and longer lead-times for even standard work to be completed. We will let you know if these are put in place – there are currently none for Monmouth.

What you need to do now:

Currently, there is nothing you need to do. Make sure you do not get signed into any new contracts by your existing ISP (they cannot make you sign a new contract – you are within your rights to roll-over on a month by month basis). Should you be in a ‘difficult’ situation with your provider, speak to us about our Interim Solutions.
Have you returned your Welsh Government grant acceptance form? This will ensure there are no delays in getting you connected and fees paid. You need to retain the form that says ‘Claim Sheet’.
Keep an eye out for future emails from us (it may be worth ensuring this email address is not marked as ‘junk’).
Let your friends and neighbours know the good news! It would be awful if they missed out! It’s not too late for them to join but they need to get their grant form sent off ASAP!

Next update – In the New Year.

On behalf of the team at Spectrum Internet, we wish you a very happy Christmas and a prosperous New Year!

From The Team @ Spectrum Internet

11 Dec 2012 – Spectrum Update (Monmouth exchange)

Dear resident,

Thank you for your prompt response in returning the order forms to us. There is a lot of work happening behind the scenes to ‘gear up’ and having this information really does help!

What’s happening?

Unfortunately we did have some delays with way leave agreements but most are now resolved and certain elements of the work can commence very soon. Under the Highways Section 50, we will be starting some of the civil construction work on Lone Lane as soon as the way leave documents are signed. We have everything else ready to go!

What you need to do now

Currently, there is nothing you need to do. Make sure you do not get signed into any new contracts by your existing ISP (they cannot make you sign a new contract – you are within your rights to roll-over on a month by month basis).
Have you returned your Welsh Government grant acceptance form? This will ensure there are no delays in getting you connected and fees paid. You need to retain the form that says ‘Claim Sheet’.
Keep an eye out for future emails from us (it may be worth ensuring this email address is not marked as ‘junk’).
Let your friends and neighbours know the good news! It would be awful if they missed out! It’s not too late for them to join but they need to send off their grant form ASAP.

Next update

Next week!

From
The Team @ Spectrum Internet

11 Dec 2012 – Spectrum Update (Trellech exchange)

Dear resident,

Thank you for signing up for the Spectrum wireless service.

Now we have had your sign up form we are working on the desktop survey. This will be followed by ‘on site’ surveys.
Our plan is to do as much of the survey work without needing to disturb you however, we will need to double check our plan to each home before implementation.

At this point we will contact you to conduct a site visit, or request your permission to be on your property. We would expect these surveys to take place in January 2013 and you will be contacted beforehand.

Best regards,

The Team @ Spectrum Internet

Keep in contact
Email: [email protected]